Overview of Girvan

Situated on the South Ayrshire coast at the mouth of the Water of Girvan, the resort town of Girvan lies 21 miles (33 km) south of Ayr. Created a burgh of barony in 1668, Girvan developed in the 18th and early 19th centuries in association with shoe-making, weaving and fishing. The arrival of the railway in 1860 brought holiday makers from Glasgow, attracted by the town's harbour and beach. Modern industries include distilling and the manufacture of textiles, chocolate and alginate for food products. William Grant & Sons built a distillery in 1963 on the site of a World War II munitions factory to supply grain whisky for blending.